Support for radio antennae



May 14, 1940. MACE 2.200.888

SUPPORT FOR RADIO ANTENNAE Filed Jan. 13, 1940 INVENTOR. AR-rHu/a IMAGE Ada-4 2 M ATTORNEY-5.

Patented May 14, 1940 S PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT FOR RADIO ANTENNAE Arthur T. Mace, East Cleveland,

to The Radiart Corporation, Cleveland,

Ohio, assignor Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application January 1.3, 1940, Serial No. 313,767

8 Claims.

This invention relates, as indicated, to supports for radio antennae, but has reference more particularly to a support for an automobile antenna of the so-called mast or telescopic type.

The primary objectof the invention is to provide a novel and advantageous assembly of the eye-bolt and sleeve, such as is used in supports for the mast type of antenna.

Another object of the invention is to provide an .eflicient and satisfactory electrical connection between the antenna and lead-in wire under any and all conditions encountered during the operation of an automobile.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts through the same,

Fig. 1 is a view, in side elevation, illustrating the mounting of an antenna on an automobile body by means of a support embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the upper support of the antenna;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the socket for the terminal of the lead-in cable.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is disclosed a mast-type antenna adapted to be mounted on the side of the cowl of an automobile body, said antenna comprising an antenna rod 2 which is which is carried by two vertically spaced frustro-conical shaped insulators or supports 3, these insulators having vertically extending openings 4 through which the rod 2 extends.

The rod 2 is supported in the openings 4 and against the insulators 3 by means of devices which will now be described.

The upper of these devices comprises an eyebolt 5 having a threaded shank 6 which passes freely through a shoulder washer l of Bakelite or similar material, and is in threaded engagement with a nut 8, preferably made of brass.

The nut 8 is slidably mounted. within a metallic sleeve or thimble 9, having an inturned flange l at its forward end, between which and the nut 8, the washer I is interposed.

The sleeve 9 is exteriorly threaded as at H, and such threaded portion passes through an opening l2 in the cowl a nut l3 being secured to such threaded portion to thereby secure the sleeve, and consequently the insulator, to the cowl. A ground washer I4 is interposed between the nut I3 and the inner surface of the cowl Secured within the rear threaded portion H of the sleeve 9 is a brass socket l having an r, inturned flange H5 at its forward end, between which and an annular indentation l1 in the sleeveQa pair of spaced Bakelite washers I8 and l9 is interposed. Between the washers l8 and I9 is interposed the base flange 20 of a lead-in in cable terminal socket 2|, which, as shown in Fig. 3. is of triangular cross-section. The terminal 2| is thus fully insulated from the socket l5.

Adjacent the outer surface of the flange I6 of the socket I5 is disposed a washer 22 of Bakelite or the like, this washer being maintained in spaced relation to the washer l by means of a cylindrical spacer sleeve 23 formed of Bakelite.

For the purpose of establishing an electrical connection between the nut 8 and the terminal socket 2|, a coiled compression spring 24 is provided, which is interposed between the nut 8 and the washer 22 and has a flattened end portion 25, which, as shown in Fig. 3, bears on one of the faces of the terminal socket 2|.

It is thus seen that, irrespective of any wear of the metallic parts of the support, and of vioration of the automobile in use, the coil 24 at all times provides a positive satisfactory electrical connection between the antenna and its lead-in cable (not shown).

Moreover, the assembly is rugged, compact and well-adapted for usage under all conditions.

It will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the specific form illustrated in the drawing and that various modifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In an automobile radio antenna, the combination of an antenna rod and means for securing said rod to the cowl of the automobile, said means comprising a metallic sleeve, a nut within said sleeve and insulated therefrom, an eye-bolt secured to said nut, a lead-in cable terminal socket secured within said sleeve and insulated therefrom, and a coil spring interposed between said nut and socket.

2. In an automobile radio antenna, the combination of an antenna rod and means for securing said rod to the cowl of the automobile, said means comprising an insulator, a sleeve integrally joined to said insulator and having a threaded portion extending through said cowl, a nut securing said sleeve to said cowl, spaced metallic elements adapted to establish an electrical connection between said antenna rod and the lead-in cable of the radio set, and a coil spring interposed between said elements.

3. In an automobile radio antenna, the combination of an antenna rod and means for securing said rod to the cowl of the automobile, said means comprising an insulator, a sleeve disposed within said insulator and having a threaded portion extending through said cowl, a nut securing said sleeve to said cowl, an eye-bolt projecting from and insulated from said sleeve and adapted to embrace said antenna rod, a lead-in cable terminal socket within and insulated from said sleeve and spaced from the shank of said eye-bolt, and a resilient connection between said eye-bolt and socket.

4. An eye-bolt and sleeve assembly for radio antennae, said assembly comprising a sleeve having a threaded portion, an eye-bolt insulated from said sleeve, the shank of which is disposed with in said sleeve and the eye of which projects from said sleeve, a lead-in cable terminal socket with in and insulated from said sleeve and spaced from the shank of said eye-bolt, and a resilient connection between said eye-bolt and socket.

5. An eye-bolt and sleeve assembly for radio antennae, said assembly comprising a sleeve, an

, eye-bolt projecting from and insulated from said sleeve, a lead-in cable terminal socket of triangular cross-section within and insulated from said sleeve and spaced from the shank of said eyebolt, and a coil spring interposed between said eye-bolt and socket, said spring having a flattened aeoaeee end portion bearing against one of the faces 0! said socket.

6. An eye-bolt and sleeve assembly for radio antennae, said assembly comprising a sleeve, a nut within said sleeve, an eye-bolt projecting from and insulated from said sleeve and in threaded engagement with said nut, an insulating washer disposed between said nut and one end of said sleeve, an element within said sleeve having a lead-in cable terminal socket supported thereby and insulated therefrom and from said sleeve, a second insulating washer adjacent said element and disposed about said socket, and a spacer sleeve between said insulating washers.

'7. In an automobile radio antenna, the combination of an antenna rod and means for securing said rod to the cowl of an automobile, said means comprising a metallic sleeve, a nut within said sleeve and insulated therefrom, an eye-bolt secured to said nut, a lead-in cable terminal socket secured within said sleeve and insulated therefrom, and means interposed between said nut and socket for establishing an electrical connection therebetween.

8. An eye-b0lt and sleeve assembly for radio antennae, said assembly comprising a sleeve having a threadedportion, an eye-bolt insulated from said sleeve, the shank of which is disposed within said sleeve and the eye of which projects from said sleeve, a lead-in cable terminal socket within and insulated from said sleeve and spaced from the shank of said eye-bolt, and means establishing an electrical connection between said eye-bolt and socket.

ARTHUR T. MACE. 

